Sport shoe with quickly removable spikes

ABSTRACT

The spikes are quickly released from their connection with the sport shoe by a one-quarter turn rotation, and then an axial withdrawal. Replacement spikes, or stub spikes adapting the shoe for street use, can then be quickly installed by reversing the above steps.

limited @tates Fatent 1 m1 3,731,4ae

Yeung 14 1 May 8, R973 [54] SPURT SHOE WITH QUICKLY [56] ReferencesCited REMQVABLE SPIKES UNITED STATES PATENTS 1 lnvemofl Robe" Young, 311Cemral 2,607,135 8/1952 Langer ..36/67 D Avenue, Pearl River, N.Y. l09653,267,593 8/1966 Turner 3,526,976 9/1970 Jacobs ..36/67 D [22] Filed:Apr. 13, 1972 [21 Appl 243,612 Primary ExaminerPatrick D. LawsonAttorney-Curtis Ailes 52 us. Cl. ..36/67 a ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl ..A43c15/00 The Spikes are quickly released from their connection Field ofSearch 67 59 with the sport shoe by a one-quarter turn rotation, and36/25 AH then an axial withdrawal. Replacement spikes, or stub spikesadapting the shoe for street use, can then be quickly installed byreversing the above steps.

12 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures L 32 m J 38 I 42 K 46 x 46 1,, 2 O 1 x "L 2O I 1 1 4 i r PATENTEDHAY 8 I915 3.731.406

F/G 3 24 44 2e 34 44 PAIENTEDHAY 81913 I 3.7313106 SHEET 2 OF 2 Thepresent invention particularly relates to a new sport shoe of the typehaving spikes extending downwardly from the sole thereof for use insports which are carried out on soft turf, and the invention isparticularly useful for shoes of the above description which are usedfor the game of golf. The spikes are sometimes referred to as calks.

An annoying problem which confronts sportsmen, and particularly golfers,is the need for carrying special spiked shoes, separate from theirstreet shoes, which must be changed at the playing field just before thegame is commenced. There is the inconvenience of carrying the sportshoes to the playing field, or golf links, and of then carrying orstoring the street shoes during the game.

There are a number of reasons Why the usual spiked sport shoes cannot beworn to and from the playing field. For instance, it is quite unpleasantand difficult to walk in the spiked shoes on hard smooth surfaces, itwears and dulls the spikes, it damages the floor surfaces, and it isvery difficult to drive an automobile with the spiked shoes on.

Accordingly, it is one object of the present invention to overcome theproblem of carrying separate spiked sport shoes and flat soled streetshoes by providing a single pair of shoes which is convertible fromspiked shoes to street shoes and back again.

Another problem encountered by wearers of spiked sport shoes is that,even in normal wear, the spikes become worn and dull, or broken. Thus,they need to be replaced from time to time. In the most commonly usedtype of spiked shoes, the spikes are held in place in the shoe by meansof screw threads which engage in metal fittings installed in the lowersurface layers of the shoe. However, this arrangement has majordisadvantages. The screw threads often become rusted and corroded, andthus locked in place. With such a spike, when heroic efforts areexpended to try to loosen the spike by unscrewing it, the result is thatthe wrench breaks, or the fitting into which the spike is threadedlyfastened comes loose from the shoe, necessitating nothing less than arebuilding of the shoe to install a new fitting. Another problem withthe screw threaded connections is that the screw threads frequently arestripped so that the spike will no longer stay in the associatedfittings.

Accordingly, it is another important object of the present invention toprovide an improved sport shoe with quickly removable and replaceablespikes which do not rely on screw threaded fastenings.

Other attempts have been made to devise a convenient and workable meansfor providing removable spikes without screw thread fastenings. Forinstance, the structures illustrated in US. Pat. No. 2,607,l 35 issuedto A. A. Langer illustrate one approach to this problem. However, noneof these attempts have achieved wide usage, presumably because ofdefects in the basic design conceptions. One defect of the Langerremovable spike, for instance, is that it is not positively locked inplace, and is thus subject to coming loose and getting lost. It is alsofree to rotate, which is not considered desirable by sportsmen.

Accordingly, it is important object of the present invention to providean improved removable spike structure for a sport shoe in which thespike is easily and quickly removable and replaceable, and including thefeature of positive locking of the spike when it is in the assembledposition.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a structure in whichthe spike is not freely rotatable.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new sport shoe spikeassembly in which the spikes are quickly removable and replaceable, andin which stub pins may be substituted for the spikes to adapt the shoefor street use.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent fromthe following description and the accompanying drawings.

in carrying out the invention there may be employed a shoe which isquickly convertible from a substantially flat bottom street shoe to aspiked bottom sport shoe comprising a shoe structure having lowersurface members including a main sole and heel, at least one of saidlower surface members including a plurality of tubular metal fittingsattached in openings therein. Each of said tubular fittings include abottom flange extending radially outwardly transverse to the axis of thetubular fitting and engaging the lower surface of said lower surfacemember. Each of said tubular fittings include a top flange extendingradially outwardly transverse to the axis of said tubular fitting andtightly embracing the upper edge of the opening in said lower surfacemember so that said tubular fitting is firmly secured to said lowersurface member by said bottom flange and said top flange. A quicklyremovable spike pin in provided for insertion and attachment in each ofsaid tubular fittings and a quickly removable stub pin interchangeablewith said spike pin is provided and arranged for insertion andattachment in each of said tubular fittings. Each of said pins include aradially outwardly extending flange arranged for engagement with thebottom flange of said tubular fitting to limit the axial insertiontravel of said pin into said tubular fitting. Said spike pins eachinclude an integral pointed spike extending downwardly from said radialflange and said stub pins each include a substantially flat bottom surface arranged in substantially the same plane as the bottom plane ofsaid flange of said pin. Each of said tubular fittings include asubstantially cylindrical inner portion extending upwardly from saidbottom flange, and each of said pins include a cylindrical portionextending above said radially extending pin flange and arranged to fitinto said cylindrical portion of said tubular fitting. Said cylindricalportion of each of said pins and the interfitting cylindrical portion ofthe associated tubular fitting including quick disconnect means, saidquick disconnect means comprising at least one knob protruding from oneof said interfitting cylindrical portions and at least one cam actionshoulder for cooperation with said knob forming a part of the other oneof said interfitting cylindrical portions. Said quick disconnect meansis operable to establish a quick connection by insertion of said pincylindrical portion into said tubular fitting cylindrical portion androtation through a fraction of a turn to engage said knob with said camaction shoulder and being disconnectible by rotation through a fractionof a turn to disconnect said knob and shoulder and by subsequentretraction of said pin. Said radial flange of each of said pinsincluding means for engagement by a twisting tool for imparting therotational movement to said pin necessary for the connecting anddisconnecting operation thereof.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a sport shoe in accordance with thepresent invention with spikes (also referred to herein as spike pins)installed.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sport shoe of FIG. 1 with stub pinsinstalled in place of the spikes to adapt the shoe for street use.

F IG. 3 is a cross sectional side view of a tubular metal fitting fullyinstalled in the bottom layer of the sport shoe of FIG. I and adapted toreceive the spikes.

FIG. 4 is a top detail view of a metal spring washer which serves as adevice for securely engaging and holding the spike pin or the stub pinwithin the tubular metal fitting of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the spike pin adapted for installation in thetubular metal fitting of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the spike pin of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a sectional side view of the installed tubular metal fittingof FIG. 3, and showing the spike pin of FIG. 5 fully installed therein.This combination is sometimes referred to hereinafter as the spikeassembly.

FIG. 8 is a side view, corresponding to FIG. 5, of a stub pin adapted tobe installed alternatively in the tubular metal fitting of FIG. 3 foradapting the shoe for street use.

And FIG. 9 is a side view, partially in section, illustrating a specialtool which may be used for installation of either the spike pin or thestub pin.

In accordance with the present invention, spike pins for sport use, orstub pins for street use are interchangeably insertable into tubularmetal fittings permanently installed in the bottom surface members ofthe sport shoe, and locked in place by a quarter turn of rotation.Removal of the spike pins and the stub pins is accomplished by simplyreversing these steps, imparting a quarter turn to the pin, and thenfreely sliding it out of the tubular metal fitting.

FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively illustrate how the same sport shoe, such as agolf shoe 10, appears with spike pins 12 installed for sport use, andwith stub pins 14 installed for street use. The different pins areinstalled in permanent tubular metal fittings 16 which are attached tothe bottom layers of the shoe, including the bottom ply 18 of the heel,and the main sole 20. The spike pin fittings are installed in anydesired pattern, and the pat tern will generally conform to patterns ofspike installation which are currently used and preferred by sportsmen.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross sectional side view of the tubular metalfitting l6 employed with the removable pins in the sport shoeillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The fitting is seen to include a bottomflange 22 extending radially outwardly over the lower surface of thebottom shoe layer 20 which may comprise the outer sole of the shoe, forinstance. The fitting also includes a top flange 24 which is preferablyswaged tightly over the upper edge of the opening in the shoe sole 20.Thus, the tubular metal fitting 16 is tightly secured within the openingin the sole 20, and is restrained from rotation therein. The engagementof the flanges 22 and 24 with the shoe sole, which is typically made ofleather, may be so tight as to provide considerable compression, andsome slight degree of compressive deformation of the leather. Thefitting is initially fabricated with an upper straight cylindricaloutside wall surface (exclusive of flange 22), with thin walls at theupper edges. These thin walls are then swaged over to form the flanges24 after insertion of the fitting into the sole 20. The fitting willaccommodate for various thicknesses in the sole 24]. If the sole isthin, then more of the length of the thin upper edge wall is swagedover. If the sole is thick, less of the upper edge of the wall is swagedover. To accommodate extremely thick soles, the fitting can befabricated with an extended thin wall at the upper edge to accommodatethe added thickness without changing the rest of the structure.

An insole 26 is fixed to the interiorof the shoe so that it covers theotherwise open interior ends of the tubular metal fittings 16. It willbe understood that FIG. 3 is somewhat enlarged in dimensions, thediameter of the hole in the outer sole 20 in which the fitting isattached being only about one-half inch typically. Accordingly, theinsole 26 very effectively bridges over the top of the opening so thatthe shoe is not uncomfortable because of the discontinuity in supportwithin the sole.

The interior of the tubular metal fitting includes a main bore portion28 which has a generally cylindrical shape, and a diameter which allowsa sliding fit with a corresponding cylindrical portion of the body ofthe spike pin or the stub pin to be inserted therein. An outwardlyextending slot 30 is also provided in the main bore 28 for permittingthe entry of a connecting or locking knob which forms a part of each ofthe spike pins and stub pins. The upper portion of the interior walls ofthe tubular metal fitting 16 includes an enlarged diameter portion, asindicated at 32, and the transition between the main bore portion 28 andthe enlarged diameter portion 32 provides a radially extendingshelf-like portion which engages and supports a spring steel washerdevice 34 which is shown in more detail in FIG. 4 and which comprises apart of the fitting, and may be characterized as a part of thecylindrical portion including the cylindrical bore 28.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a spring steelwasher device 34 which comprises apart of the tubular metal fitting 16 just described in FIG. 3. Thespring metal washer 34 is in the form of a shallow cone. At the innerdiameter 36 of the washer, there are included die-cut slots 38 foraccommodating the latching knobs of the spike pins 12, permitting thelatching knobs to pass through the washer. The diameter of the inneropening 36 of the washer, exclusive of the notches 38, is substantiallythe same as the diameter of the main bore 28 of the fitting 16,providing a sliding fit of the spike pin therethrough. At the outercircumference 40 of the washer there are provided radially protrudingears 42. The diameter of the outer circumference 40 of the washer,exclusive of the ears 42, is just a little smaller than the upper bore32 of the tubular fitting 16 to permit a sliding fit for insertion ofthe washer from the top of the fitting.

Referring back again to FIG. 3, slots are provided at 44 in the upperbore of the tubular fitting 16 to accommodate the cars 42. However, thebottoms of the slots 44 are spaced apart by a constricted dimension suchthat there is an interference fit between the tips of the ears 42 andthe bottoms of the slots 44. Thus, considerable force is necessary toinsert the washer into its bottomed position as indicated in FIG. 3.However, this interference fit is relieved by a slight undercutindicated at 46 at the bottom of each of the slots 44. This permits atleast a partial relief of the stresses of the interference fit of thetips of the ears 42 and the bottoms of the slots 44, and serves toanchor the washer 34 in place within the fitting 16 so that it isconstrained against upward, as well as downward axial movement therein.This is an important feature of the assembly, as will be more fullyappreciated from the following description.

Referring again to FIG. 4, on the upper face of the spring washer 34,near the inner circumference thereof, there are preferably provided twooppositely disposed indentations at 48 which are substantially inalignment with the ears 42. These indentations 48 are for the purpose ofpositively positioning the knobs of the spike pins and the stub pinswhen in the completely assembled and locked position. Even in theabsence of indentations 48, the pin is locked in position because of thevery considerable tension force applied to the pin by spring 34.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the spike pin 12. It includes a cylindricalshank portion 50 which has a diameter such as to provide a sliding fitin the main bore 28 of the tubular fitting as illustrated in FIG. 3. Atdiametrically opposite sides, and near the top of the shank portion 50,there are provided locking knobs 52, which are radially outwardlyextending knobs, which may be generally cylindrical in shape, and whichare of a size limited so as to slide through the slots 30 in the sidewall of the tubular fitting 16, and through the inner slots 38 in thewasher 34. The spike pin 12 includes a lower flange 54 which extendsradially outwardly to engage the lower surface of the tubular fitting l6and to limit the depth of insertion of the pin into the fitting.Finally, the spike 56 is integral with the rest of the structure andextends downwardly therefrom, having essentially a conical shape, andbeing of conventional dimensions. The flange 54 is provided withoppositely disposed flats 58 which are formed on diametrically oppositesides thereof for engagement of the flange by a wrench'for providing anadequate twisting force for locking and unlocking the pin.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the spike pin illustrated in HG. 5, shown fromthe top of the shank portion 50, and illustrating fully the flats 58 andthe locking knobs 52. As illustrated in this figure, the knobs 52 andthe flats 58 are preferably lined up on substantially the same diameterof the pin. Thus, when the pin is rotated 90 into the locking position,the full diameter portions of the flange 54 are rotated into position tofully cover and seal the bottoms of the slots 30 in the tubular fitting16 which accommodate the knobs 52.

FIG. 7 shows the spike pin 12 fully installed in the tubular fitting 16.For installation, the cylindrical shank portion 50 of the pin isinserted into the cylindrical bore portion 28 of the tubular fitting 16,the locking knobs 52 being in alignment with the slots 30. After the pinis fully inserted so that the bottom flange 54 of the pin engages thelower surface of the tubular fitting 16, the pin is then rotated forone-quarter turn in either direction. The dimensions of the springwasher 34, and

the other parts, are such that the knobs 52 emerge substantially abovespring washer 34 and there is a camming action of the knobs 52 upon theinner and upper peripheral edge of the spring washer 34, requiring thatthe spring washer must be deformed to a certain extent to permitrotation of the pin. Thus, the pin must be rotated with an appreciableforce requiring the application of a wrench to the pin flange 54, andespecially to the flats 58. After this rotation is continued for onequarter turn, the locking knobs 52 engage in the depressions in theupper surface of the spring washer (as shown in FIG. 4), and thisprovides a noticeable detent indexing mechanical action such that thelocking knobs 52 are latched or locked into the depressions or detentsThus, it requires a considerable rotational force applied to the pin torotate it out of this locked position to again align the locking knobs52 with the slots 38 and 3d. The washer 34 is preferably designed sothat the pin may be rotated in either direction for the purpose ofeither locking or unlocking the pin. Thus, the structure is veryconvenient for changing spikes while the shoes are actually being worn.The spikes on the left shoe can be twisted by the right hand in aclockwise direction, both for locking and unlocking, while the spikes inthe right shoe can be twisted counterclockwise by the left hand for bothlocking and unlocking.

Because of the camming action of the knobs 52 on the upper edge of thespring washer 34, this particular portion of the spring washer may becharacterized as comprising a cam action shoulder, which may beconsidered as essentially forming an extension, or a part of, thecylindrical internal bore portion 28 of the fitting 16. While notillustrated in the drawings, it is obvious that other equivalentstructures could be provided in which the cam shoulder structure and thespring structure which provides a retaining tension force upon the pincould be physically separated. Also, the positions of the slots 30 andthe knobs 52 could be reversed, the knobs being provided in thecylindrical surface wall 28 of the fitting, and the slots being providedin the cylindrical portion 50 of the pin.

However, the specific structure disclosed, employing the spring metalwasher 34 is the much preferred form of the invention.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the spring metal washer 34has an outside diameter of onehalf inch, and an inside diameter ofapproximately onequarter inch. The thickness of the spring material isapproximately twenty-five thousandths of an inch, and the cone angle issuch as to provide an unsprung height of the spring from the bottomsurface at the outside circumference to the top surface at the insidediameter in the order of forty thousandths of an inch. When the pin islocked in place, the downward deflection of the top of the spring by theknobs 52 may be such as to reduce the effective height of the spring byas much as four thousandths of an inch or more. This provides a verysubstantial tension force between the knobs 52 and the flange 54 of thepin to lock it in place. This tension force may be in excess of 50pounds. The material of the spring is preferably a stainless springsteel, although other materials may be used.

FIG. 8 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 5, but showing theconstruction of the stub pin 14 instead of the spike pin 12. The upperportion of the stub pin 14 is seen to be identical to the correspondingportions of the spike pin 12. The only true difference is that the spikeportion 56 is omitted, and instead, a thin rubber pad 60 is preferablysecurely bonded to the bottom surface of the stub pin, which preferablylies in the plane of the bottom surface of the flange 54. Thus, thebottom surface of the flange 54 constitutes the bottom surface of thestub pin, except for the addition of the rubber pad 6G. The rubber pad60 preferably covers the entire bottom surface, with its outer outlinesubstantially conforming to that of the flange 54, including the flats53. The rubber pad 6t provides a degree of non-skid effect when the stubpins are installed in the shoes for street wear. It will be understood,of course, that the rubber pads may include a tread design, or they maybe perfectly smooth, if preferred.

FIG. 9 illustrates, partially in section, a special socket wrench 62which is preferably provided for the purpose of quickly and easilyrotating the spike pins and stub pins for locking and unlocking them forremoval and exchange or replacement. The end of the socket at 64, whichis shown in section, is preferably formed with oppositely opposed flatsections, as illustrated at 66 so that it exactly fits the periphery ofthe bottom flange 54 of each of the pin members. The socket opening 64is deep enough to accommodate the spike of the spike pin 12 so thatthere is no difficulty in engaging the flange 54 of the spike pin. Thewrench 62 preferably includes a handle portion having separate wings 68which are long enough to provide good twisting leverage for the user.

The fittings 16 are preferably installed in the shoe so that all of thefittings are in the same rotational alignment with respect to the shoe.F or instance, the slots 30 are preferably in a line which is parallelto the toe to heel line of the shoe. Thus, in the locked position, theflats 58 of the flanges 54 on the pins are all in fore and aft alignmentwith respect to the body of the shoe. One reason for the preference forthe uniform alignment is that the user will always known the exact angleat which the wrench will engage the spikes for quick and easy removal,and the exact angle of the wrench corresponding to the locked andunlocked positions of the spike pins.

While the flanges. on the spike and stub pins have been disclosed asbeing provided with flat, oppositely disposed edges for accommodation ofthe wrench of FIG. 9, it is obvious that other edge configurations maybe employed with the flange. For instance, a hexagonal shape can be usedto accommodate a conventional hexagonal socket wrench, without departingfrom the spirit of the present invention.

All of the parts of the spike assembly may be composed of steel, andpreferably stainless steel, although the spike pin may preferably be ofa particularly hard and wear-resisting steel. The preference forstainless steel applies to the tubular metal fitting 16, the spike pin12, and the stub pin 14.

While not shown in the drawings, the main sole of the shoe forming oneof the lower surface members may be comprised of a laminated structureincluding a high strength sole plate which may be composed of a thinflexible metal, with an outer sole of non-metallic material, such asrubber, firmly attached to the metal sole plate. In such an arrangement,the tubular metal fittings may be attached to the laminar main soleprimarily by attachment to the metal sole plate portion thereof. Thebottom flange 22 of the tubular metal fitting then engages the lowersurface of the metal sole plate portion of the main sole rather than theoutermost lower surface of the outer sole. A similar construction may beused for the heel lower surface member.

While this invention has been shown and described in connection withparticular preferred embodiments, various alterations and modificationswill occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the followingclaims are intended to define the valid scope of this invention over theprior art, and to cover all changes and modifications falling within thetrue spirit and valid scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. A shoe which is quickly convertible from a substantially flat bottomstreet shoe to a spiked bottom sport shoe comprising:

a shoe structure having lower surface members including a main sole andheel,

at least one of said lower surface members including a plurality oftubular metal fittings attached in openings therein,

each of said tubular fittings including a bottom flange extendingradially outwardly transverse to the axis of the tubular fitting andengaging a lower surface of said lower surface member,

each of said tubular fittings including a top flange extending radiallyoutwardly transverse to the axis of said tubular fitting and tightlyembracing the upper edge of the opening in said lower surface member sothat said tubular fitting is firmly secured to said lower surface memberby said bottom flange and said top flange,

a quickly removable spike pin for insertion and attachment in each ofsaid tubular fittings,

a quickly removable stub pin interchangeable with said spike pin andarranged for insertion and attachment in each of said tubular fittings,

each of said pins including a radially outwardly extending flangearranged for engagement with the bottom flange of said tubular fittingto limit the axial insertion travel of said pin into said tubularfitting,

said spike pins each including an integral pointed spike extendingdownwardly from said radial flange,

said stub pins each having a substantially flat bottom surface arrangedin substantially the same plane as the bottom plane of said bottomflange of said pin,

each of said tubular fittings including a substantially cylindricalinner portion extending upwardly from said bottom flange,

each of said pins including a cylindrical portion extending above saidradially extending pin flange and arranged to fit into said cylindricalportion of said tubular fitting,

said cylindrical portion of each of said pins and the interfittingcylindrical portion of the associated tubular fitting includingquick-disconnect means,

said quick-disconnect means comprising at least one knob protruding fromone of said interfitting cylindrical portions and at least one camaction shoulder for cooperation with said knob forming a part of theother one of said interfitting cylindrical portions,

said quick-disconnect means being operable to establish a quickconnection by insertion of said pin cylindrical portion into saidtubular fitting cylindrical portion and rotation through a fraction of aturn to engage said knob with said cam action shoulder and vbeingdisconnectable by rotation through a fraction of a turn to disconnectsaid knob and shoulder and by subsequent retraction of said pin,

and said radial flange of each of said pins including means forengagement by a twisting tool for imparting the rotational movement tosaid pin necessary for the connecting and disconnecting operationthereof.

2. A sport shoe comprising:

a shoe structure having lower surface members including a main sole andheel,

at least one of said lower surface members including a plurality oftubular metal fittings attached in openings therein,

each of said tubular fittings including a bottom flange extendingradially outwardly and engaging a lower surface of said lower surfacemember,

each of said tubular fittings including a top flange extending radiallyoutwardly and tightly embracing the upper edge of the opening in saidlower surface member,

a quickly removable and replaceable spike pin for insertion andattachment in each of said tubular fittings,

each of said pins including a radially outwardly extending flangearranged for engagement with the bottom flange of said tubular fittingto limit the axial insertion travel of said pin into said tubularfitting,

said'pins each including an integral pointed spike extending downwardlyfrom said radial flange,

each of said tubular fittings including a substantially cylindricalinner portion extending upwardly from said bottom flange,

each of said pins including a cylindrical portion extending above saidradially extending pin flange and arranged to fit intov said cylindricalportion of said tubular fitting,

said cylindrical portion of each of said pins and said interfittingcylindrical portion of the associated tubular fitting includingquick-disconnect means,

said quick-disconnect means comprising at least one knob protruding fromone said interfitting cylindrical portions and at least one cam actionshoulder for cooperation with said knob forming a part of the other oneof said interfitting cylindrical portions,

said quick-disconnect means being operable to establish a quickconnection by insertion of said pin cylindrical portion into saidtubular fitting cylindrical portion and rotation through a fraction of aturn to engage said knob with said cam action shoulder and beingdisconnectable by rotation through a fraction of a turn to disconnectsaid knob and shoulder and by subsequent retraction of i said pin.

3. A spike assembly for a sport shoe comprising:

a tubular metal fitting for attachment in an opening in a lower surfacemember of the sport shoe, said tubular fitting including a bottom flangeextending radially outwardly transverse to the axis of the tubularfitting for engaging a lower surface of the lower surface member, saidtubular fitting including a top bottom which can be flared out to form atop flange to embrace the upper edge of the opening in the lower surfacemember, a quickly removable and replaceable spike pin for insertion andattachment in said tubular fitting, said pin including a radiallyoutwardly extending bottom flange arranged for engagement with thebottom flange of said tubular fitting to limit the axial insertiontravel of said pin into said tubular fitting, said pin including anintegral pointed spike extending downwardly from said radial flange,said tubular fitting including a substantially cylindrical inner portionextending upwardly from said bottom flange, said pin including acylindrical portion extending above said radially extending pin flangeand arranged to fit into said cylindrical portion of said tubularfitting, one of said interfitting cylindrical portions including atleast one knob protruding therefrom, the other one of said cylindricalportions including at least one cam action shoulder for cooperation withsaid knob, said interfitting cylindrical portions being operable toestablish a quick connection by insertion of said pin cylindricalportion into said tubular fitting cylindrical portion and rotationthrough a fraction of a turn to engage said knob with said cam actionshoulder, said interfitting cylindrical portions being quicklydisconnectable by rotation through a fraction of a turn to disconnectsaid knob and shoulder and by subsequent retraction of said pin. 4. Aspike assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein there is provided a stubpin interchangeable with said spike pin to adapt the shoe for streetuse,

said stub pin having all of the structure corresponding to the structureof said spike pin except said stub pin being provided with asubstantiallysmooth lower surface substantially coinciding with thelower surface of said pin flange. 5. A spike assembly as claimed inclaim 3 wherein two diametrically oppositely positioned knobs areincluded in said interfitting cylindrical portion having said knob, andtwo diametrically oppositely disposed cam action shoulders are includedin said cylindrical portion having said cam action shoulder forcooperation with said knobs. 6 A spike assemblyas claimed in claim 3wherein there is included a resilient tension member for applying alocking tension to said pin in the assembled position. 7. A spikeassembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein said tension member is combinedas a part of said cylindrical portion including said cam actionshoulder, said tension member comprising an axially deformablesubstantially flat spring member and serving to provide and form saidcam action shoulder in combination in said spring member,

the upper surface of said flat spring member serving to engage saidknob.

8. A spike assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein said spring membercomprises a metal spring washer providing said cam action shoulder aspart of said cylindrical portion of said tubular fitting,

said spring washer and said cylindrical portion of said tubular fittingincluding at least one radial slot cut therein to permit passage of saidknob as said pin is inserted into said tubular fitting.

9. A spike assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein said metal springwasher has a shallow cone shape and is deformable in a direction toflatten the cone to provide said tension.

10. A spike assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein said metal springwasher includes an indentation at the upper inner edge thereof forseating of said knob in the locked position of said pin.

the tips of said ears of said spring washer have an interference fit insaid slots in said tubular fitting,

said slots in said tubular fitting including undercut portions at thelowermost portions of said slots to relieve said interference fit and tolock said ears and said spring washer in a position of maximum insertioninto said tubular fitting.

1. A shoe which is quickly convertible from a substantially flat bottomstreet shoe to a spiked bottom sport shoe comprising: a shoe structurehaving lower surface members including a main sole and heel, at leastone of said lower surface members including a plurality of tubular metalfittings attached in openings therein, each of said tubular fittingsincluding a bottom flange extending radially outwardly transverse to theaxis of the tubular fitting and engaging a lower surface of said lowersurface member, each of said tubular fittings including a top flangeextending radially outwardly transverse to the axis of said tubularfitting and tightly embracing the upper edge of the opening in saidlower surface member so that said tubular fitting is firmly secured tosaid lower surface member by said bottom flange and said top flange, aquickly removable spike pin for insertion and attachment in each of saidtubular fittings, a quickly removable stub pin interchangeable with saidspike pin and arranged for insertion and attachment in each of saidtubular fittings, each of said pins including a radially outwardlyextending flange arranged for engagement with the bottom flange of saidtubular fitting to limit the axial insertion travel of said pin intosaid tubular fitting, said spike pins each including an integral pointedspike extending downwardly from said radial flange, said stub pins eachhaving a substantially flat bottom surface arranged in substantially thesame plane as the bottom plane of said bottom flange of said pin, eachof said tubular fittings including a substantially cylindrical innerportion extending upwardly from said bottom flange, each of said pinsincluding a cylindrical portion extending above said radially extendingpin flange and arranged to fit into said cylindrical portion of saidtubular fitting, said cylindrical portion of each of said pins and theinterfitting cylindrical portion of the associated tubular fittingincluding quick-disconnect means, said quick-disconnect means comprisingat least one knob protruding from one of said interfitting cylindricalportions and at least one cam action shoulder for cooperation with saidknob forming a part of the other one of said interfitting cylindricalportions, said quick-disconnect means being operable to establish aquick connection by insertion of said pin cylindrical portion into saidtubular fitting cylindrical portion and rotation through a fraction of aturn to engage said kNob with said cam action shoulder and beingdisconnectable by rotation through a fraction of a turn to disconnectsaid knob and shoulder and by subsequent retraction of said pin, andsaid radial flange of each of said pins including means for engagementby a twisting tool for imparting the rotational movement to said pinnecessary for the connecting and disconnecting operation thereof.
 2. Asport shoe comprising: a shoe structure having lower surface membersincluding a main sole and heel, at least one of said lower surfacemembers including a plurality of tubular metal fittings attached inopenings therein, each of said tubular fittings including a bottomflange extending radially outwardly and engaging a lower surface of saidlower surface member, each of said tubular fittings including a topflange extending radially outwardly and tightly embracing the upper edgeof the opening in said lower surface member, a quickly removable andreplaceable spike pin for insertion and attachment in each of saidtubular fittings, each of said pins including a radially outwardlyextending flange arranged for engagement with the bottom flange of saidtubular fitting to limit the axial insertion travel of said pin intosaid tubular fitting, said pins each including an integral pointed spikeextending downwardly from said radial flange, each of said tubularfittings including a substantially cylindrical inner portion extendingupwardly from said bottom flange, each of said pins including acylindrical portion extending above said radially extending pin flangeand arranged to fit into said cylindrical portion of said tubularfitting, said cylindrical portion of each of said pins and saidinterfitting cylindrical portion of the associated tubular fittingincluding quick-disconnect means, said quick-disconnect means comprisingat least one knob protruding from one said interfitting cylindricalportions and at least one cam action shoulder for cooperation with saidknob forming a part of the other one of said interfitting cylindricalportions, said quick-disconnect means being operable to establish aquick connection by insertion of said pin cylindrical portion into saidtubular fitting cylindrical portion and rotation through a fraction of aturn to engage said knob with said cam action shoulder and beingdisconnectable by rotation through a fraction of a turn to disconnectsaid knob and shoulder and by subsequent retraction of said pin.
 3. Aspike assembly for a sport shoe comprising: a tubular metal fitting forattachment in an opening in a lower surface member of the sport shoe,said tubular fitting including a bottom flange extending radiallyoutwardly transverse to the axis of the tubular fitting for engaging alower surface of the lower surface member, said tubular fittingincluding a top bottom which can be flared out to form a top flange toembrace the upper edge of the opening in the lower surface member, aquickly removable and replaceable spike pin for insertion and attachmentin said tubular fitting, said pin including a radially outwardlyextending bottom flange arranged for engagement with the bottom flangeof said tubular fitting to limit the axial insertion travel of said pininto said tubular fitting, said pin including an integral pointed spikeextending downwardly from said radial flange, said tubular fittingincluding a substantially cylindrical inner portion extending upwardlyfrom said bottom flange, said pin including a cylindrical portionextending above said radially extending pin flange and arranged to fitinto said cylindrical portion of said tubular fitting, one of saidinterfitting cylindrical portions including at least one knob protrudingtherefrom, the other one of said cylindrical portions including at leastone cam action shoulder for cooperation with said knob, saidinterfitting cylindrical portions being operable to establish a quickcOnnection by insertion of said pin cylindrical portion into saidtubular fitting cylindrical portion and rotation through a fraction of aturn to engage said knob with said cam action shoulder, saidinterfitting cylindrical portions being quickly disconnectable byrotation through a fraction of a turn to disconnect said knob andshoulder and by subsequent retraction of said pin.
 4. A spike assemblyas claimed in claim 3 wherein there is provided a stub pininterchangeable with said spike pin to adapt the shoe for street use,said stub pin having all of the structure corresponding to the structureof said spike pin except said stub pin being provided with asubstantially smooth lower surface substantially coinciding with thelower surface of said pin flange.
 5. A spike assembly as claimed inclaim 3 wherein two diametrically oppositely positioned knobs areincluded in said interfitting cylindrical portion having said knob, andtwo diametrically oppositely disposed cam action shoulders are includedin said cylindrical portion having said cam action shoulder forcooperation with said knobs. 6 A spike assembly as claimed in claim 3wherein there is included a resilient tension member for applying alocking tension to said pin in the assembled position.
 7. A spikeassembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein said tension member is combinedas a part of said cylindrical portion including said cam actionshoulder, said tension member comprising an axially deformablesubstantially flat spring member and serving to provide and form saidcam action shoulder in combination in said spring member, the uppersurface of said flat spring member serving to engage said knob.
 8. Aspike assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein said spring membercomprises a metal spring washer providing said cam action shoulder aspart of said cylindrical portion of said tubular fitting, said springwasher and said cylindrical portion of said tubular fitting including atleast one radial slot cut therein to permit passage of said knob as saidpin is inserted into said tubular fitting.
 9. A spike assembly asclaimed in claim 8 wherein said metal spring washer has a shallow coneshape and is deformable in a direction to flatten the cone to providesaid tension.
 10. A spike assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein saidmetal spring washer includes an indentation at the upper inner edgethereof for seating of said knob in the locked position of said pin. 11.A spike assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein said metal spring washerincludes ears extending radially outwardly from the outer periphery ofsaid washer, said tubular metal fitting including slots in the upperinner surface thereof to accommodate said ears and to restrict rotationof said washer.
 12. A spike assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein thetips of said ears of said spring washer have an interference fit in saidslots in said tubular fitting, said slots in said tubular fittingincluding undercut portions at the lowermost portions of said slots torelieve said interference fit and to lock said ears and said springwasher in a position of maximum insertion into said tubular fitting.